The selection of science fiction films streaming on Netflix is somewhat limited, and while some of the Netflix originals may be forgettable and underwhelming, there are some modern classics of the genre, too. all available on Netflix. As with any movie, these high-quality films may not be available indefinitely, so it's worth seeking them out while you have the chance.

Netflix's best sci-fi films range from small indie films to major blockbusters, making the best use of resources regardless of budget. Some are adaptations of iconic American comics, foreign graphic novels, and award-winning short stories, while others are inventive original works Here are five of the best sci-fi films on Netflix to watch right now.

South Korean director Pong Joon-ho is best known for "Parasites," which won the 2019 Oscar for Best Picture, but even before that he had been delivering genre-bending, mesmerizing epics. Pon's first English-language film is an adaptation of a French graphic novel about a giant train that circles the post-apocalyptic world forever. The train is a society that functions as a completely self-contained ecosystem in itself, with the poorest passengers in the rear cars and the richest in the front.

This is a blunt but effective allegory for social stratification, and director Bong creates an immersive world just on the train. Chris Evans plays the rebel leader, while Tilda Swinton plays a woman defending a precarious order that is about to be overthrown.

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The long-lived British comic book character Judge Dredd has struggled to be adapted for the big screen, but this second attempt to bring his story to the big screen is a big improvement over the earlier Sylvester Stallone-starring effort. This time Karl Urban plays the title role, faithfully recreating the laconic and brutal character from the comics, never even taking off the helmet that covers half his face.

Judge Dredd is a member of the totalitarian police force of a vast futuristic city called Mega City One, and he and his new telepathic partner Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) are trapped in a huge high-rise slum run by drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) She finds herself trapped in a huge high-rise slum run by drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). The film combines visceral, fast-paced action with dark visions of a crumbling society.

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Director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Eric Heisserer have brilliantly developed Ted Chang's elegant and impressive short story "Story of Your Life" into a thought-provoking film about aliens coming to Earth The film is a great example of this. Amy Adams gives one of her best performances as Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the U.S. government to try to communicate with the newly arrived extraterrestrials.

Louise teams up with physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) to decipher the language and intentions of the mysterious creature, but Louise herself is radically changed in the process of learning to speak with the aliens. Director Villeneuve captures the awe and wonder of encountering a creature from another world, turning first contact into a profound existential experience. It is an alien invasion film about what makes us human.

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Yes, superhero movies are science fiction, and Sam Raimi's second "Spider-Man" may be the best superhero movie ever. Before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man was able to stand alone in his cinematic adventures without being pushed aside by other superheroes.

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has established himself as the protector of New York City, but is troubled by his relationship with his would-be girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco). New villain Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) makes things even worse for Peter, and Molina is delightfully diabolical as Spider-Man's latest nemesis. The massive set pieces are excellent, and Raimi and the actors make sure that the audience is equally emotionally invested in the superhero battles and interpersonal drama.

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Director and co-writer J.D. Dillard's feature debut starts out as a gritty street drama before introducing sci-fi elements. Jacob Lattimore stars as Beau Wolfe, a Los Angeles teenager who, after the death of his parents, performs street magic as a way to earn money to support himself and his sister.

But the magic tricks Bo performs are more than just magic tricks. A smart and ambitious young man, he uses his spare time at home to develop amazing new techniques that enable him to do what no illusionist can do. Eventually, he uses his technology to take down a local drug dealer and reluctantly becomes a powerful vigilante. Even as Bo's feats become more fanciful, Dillard keeps the film grounded and treats the characters' problems with the respect and honesty they deserve.

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